Proscenium-opening for theaters



(No Model.) f I DE WITT O. WAUGI-I.

PROSGENIUM OPENING FOR THEATERS.

N0. 265,647. Patented 0013.10, 1882,.

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NITED STATES PATENT GFFIGE.

DE WITT G. \VAUGH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PROSCENlUM-OPENING F OR THEATERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 265,647, dated October10, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DE WITT G. WAUGH, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county,andStateofOhio, have invented a new and useful Improvement inProscenium-Openings for Theaters,of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification, wherein-- I Figure 1 is afront elevation of my proscenium-opening, where A is the front or mampart of frame of opening, and B the rear or recessed part of same frame.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of my prosceniumopening through line y y,Fig. 1, where A is the irontor main part offrame, and B is the recessedportion of same frame. 0 is a doorway (and door) cut in the recessedpart between the upright side of front part, A, of the opening-frame andthe parallel upright side of the recessed part of same frame. D is awalkway or passage between the two portions of frame, depressed belowthe level ofstage-tloor H. E is the lower or floor side of recessed partB of openingframe, masking the foot-light placed in the usualdepression, F, in the stage-floor. c 0 0 0 arelights on all sides ofrecessed part of frame on the stage side of same; 01 d d d, (ll'OPCUFtains, hung in the usual way.

Fig.3 is a sectional view of my prosceniumopening through line now, Fig.1', showing front or main portion, A, recessed or back part, B,foot-light depression F in rear of floor side .E of recessed part ofproscenium-opening, and walk or passage D between A and B.

Similar letters of reference denote the same parts.

My invention relates to proscenium-openings for theaters 5 and itconsists- First, in continuing the frame of the opening in frontof thestage. Ordinarily the opening has no frame, the stage-floor projectingout beyond the proscenium-boxes, and the boxarch is continued over thestage. WVhen a frame has been used it has usually had but three sidesthetwo upright sides and the t.op--the said uprightsides ending at and on alevel with the stage-floor. In my frame the fourth (bottom) side isadded. This fourth side is outside of the front line of the stage-floor,and is continuous with the upright sides, thus making a complete frame.

Application filed May 15, 1882.

(No model.)

Second, in having this frame of the proscenium-opening recessed orcoved, said recessed. part having a less diameter of opening than thefront part of said frame, and having a fourth or bottom sidecorresponding to the fourth or bottom side of the front portion of saidframe. This recess is wide enough to afford a passage along the floorbetween the two parts of said frame from one side of the stage to theother, and for the setting of a door between the upright sides of thefront part of the frame and the upright sides of the recessed part ofthe frame.

Third, in placing the foot-lights behind the bottom or floor side of therecessed part of frame, so that they are masked from the audience bysaid side, and in providing a passage between the two parts of the framein front of the foot-lights, masked as aforesaid by floor side ofrecessed part. For this purpose the stage is lowered or cutout in theusual way at F. just behind the floor side of recessed part B, and theportion of the stage between the two parts of the proscenium-openingframe (front and recessed parts) is placed on a lower levellower thanthe level of foot-lights and lower than the floor proper of the stage-sothat the front part of frame may interfere as little as possible withthe view of the acting on the stage proper. Ordinarily a theaterstagetloor is level and the foot-lights arc masked by an elevation onthe front of the stage, which is not a part of the prosceniuinopeningframe. By my openingframe the actors are always within the picture orlocal of the scene, and cannot come forward outof the scene, as is nowfrequently done.

Fourth, in placing lights on the four sides of frame, in front of thedrop-curtain.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent is as follows:

1. A proscenium-opening for theaters, composed of two framescontinuously connected on three sides, the four sides of the one nearestthe auditorium being outside ot'the front lineof the stage, and theother being placed in the rear and far enough back of the first to allowof a passage-way between them, substantially as described.

2. In a proscenium opening for theaters, a frame having four sides, allof which are outside of the front line of the stage, said frame having afour-sided frame continuously con inginit a depression for foot-lightsbehind the nected to it on three sides, Whose opening is interior frame,and a lower depression be- 7 smaller than the opening in the frontframe, tween the frames forming the floor ot' a pas- 15 substantially asdescribed. sage-Way between said frames, substantially 5 3. Aproscenium-opening for theaters, havas described.

ing two frames continuously connected on three The foregoingspecification of my invention sides, in combination With lights placedon all signed by me this 11th day of May, A. D. 1882. four sides of theinterior frame on its stager i w face, substantially as described. DE 1o4. A proscenium-opening for theaters, hav- Witnesses:

in g two frames continuously connected on three CHAS. MUNROE,

sides, in combination with a stage-floor hav- RICHARD L. AYER.

